International Forum Franconomics-2023 "Digital Humanity: Opportunities and Challenges in the digital transformation process"

The Franconomics-2023 Forum was accompanied by the University of Toulon, the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV), the French Institute in Vietnam (IFV), the Global Education Group Galileo (GGEF), the Digital Transformation Strategy Institute (DTSI), Linagora Vietnam Group, and the Institute for Africa and Middle East Studies (IAMES), the Business Support Center of Hanoi City - Hanoi Department of Planning and Investment, Vietnam DX Company, Postal Bank Liên Việt Joint Stock Commercial Bank (LP Bank), and Saigon - Hanoi Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SHB). The event was conducted in a combined format, with both in-person sessions at the Sunwah Hall, Vietnam National University, and online via Zoom with participants from around the world.

The forum also saw the participation of representatives from embassies, diplomatic missions, international organizations, universities, businesses, and experts from both within and outside of Vietnam, along with scientists, researchers, media organizations within and outside the Francophone community from all over the world. On behalf of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the forum was honored to welcome Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Hải, the Permanent Vice President.

In his welcoming speech at the Franconomics Forum, Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Hải, the Permanent Vice President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, highly valued the significance of the International Franconomics-2023 Forum, which addressed one of the timely issues that had not been widely discussed, which is digital humanities. Mr. Hoàng Hải also expressed his hope that this year's Franconomics would continue the success of the previous four seasons by providing an international academic platform that offers high-quality discussions and shares the latest information about the strengths and limitations of digital humanities during the digital transformation era. This aimed to propose practical solutions to address these issues. Franconomics is not only an IFI brand but also contributes to raising the position of Vietnam National University, Hanoi within the Francophone community and worldwide.

Agreeing with the aforementioned viewpoint, Mr. Edgar Doerig, Head of the Asia-Pacific Regional Office of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), congratulated the success of the 5th Franconomics Forum and commended the efforts of IFI in promoting and developing the Francophone community. Mr. Doerig noted that the concept of digital humanities was pioneered by OIF in the early 1990s and has been recently reinforced by the new Francophone Community Digital Strategy for 2022-2026, aimed at accelerating the digital transformation process, supporting sustainable and comprehensive innovative solutions for the benefit of the people. This strategy focuses on five main development axes: (1) Reducing the digital divide and increasing digital access for the Francophone community. (2) Improving digital skills, especially for young people, women, and vulnerable individuals in society. (3) Enhancing digital technology policies and transformations. (4) Enhancing the discovery of French-language digital content. (5) Promoting innovation to serve humanity and encourage comprehensive sustainable digital technology development, such as artificial intelligence, in a manner that respects human rights. In addition, as the Head of the OIF in the Asia-Pacific region, Mr. Edgar Doerig claimed this is a dynamic and highly connected region where digital humanities, in particular, and digital technology, in general, have significant potential but also pose various challenges that need to be addressed. This is why the organization of Franconomics-2023 is of utmost importance, as it brings together experts, researchers, and businesses in the field to share their rich knowledge and experiences. He believed that the international Franconomics-2023 Forum, with its gathering of scholars, scientists, researchers, and industry experts, would clarify the potential and challenges of digital humanities, the models to be constructed, and the solutions for developing this field.

Next, Mr. Laurent Sermet, Director of Asia-Pacific, Francophone University Association (AUF), congratulated the success of Franconomics-2023 and acknowledged that digital humanities offered numerous advantages and benefits when applied. These included supporting cultural promotion, the ability to store and connect multiple resources, as well as the work of scientists in the digital space. Under the influence of digital humanities, the impact of humanities communities became stronger through communication and promotion activities. However, there were also some limitations in this field, such as data loss during the transformation process, ethical issues in data usage, maintaining resource conservation and projects, and issues related to changing cognitive perceptions. Therefore, the Franconomics-2023 Forum plays a crucial role in building the necessary foundation to leverage the opportunities and address the challenges of digital humanities in today's age.

Mr. Manuel Jobert, Deputy Director in charge of Francophone and International Relations, at Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University, and the Director of the International Francophone Institute (2IF), stated that 2IF shared a common interest in digital humanities and viewed this field as one of the research directions that deserve attention. Mr. Jobert believed that the application of digital technology in the social sciences and humanities brought many benefits, such as enhancing data and heritage preservation, easy access to knowledge and documentary resources, and supporting the work of researchers in the 21st century. On the contrary, the rapid development of the virtual world also widen the gap in real life. Therefore, the Deputy Director of 2IF affirmed that the theme of digital humanities at Franconomics-2023 was entirely relevant to the current context of the Francophone community and the world in general. At the same time, he also hoped that the Forum would help participants engage in discussions, exchange ideas, and propose solutions to address the challenges of digital humanities.

Mr. Xavier Leroux, the Director of Toulon University, asserted that digital humanities were a relatively new research field, not only in Vietnam but also worldwide. However, the application of digital technology and computer science achievements in the study of humanities has become increasingly necessary and important in an advanced and civilized society. Digital humanities played a crucial role in document management and preservation, safeguarding cultural and historical values, heritage, and language, and enhancing the values of different social civilizations. Moreover, it also had the potential to nurture human potential and promote the robust development of humanity in the future. Mr. Leroux also expressed his belief that the international Franconomics-2023 Forum would provide an opportunity for the invitees to explore and delve deeper into the issues of digital humanities while analyzing successful models in this field. Consequently, this would offer valuable lessons for Vietnam and other nations.

At the opening of Franconomics-2023, Mr. Phùng Danh Thắng, Director of IFI, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and the Chief Organizer, asserted that, based on the previous seasons, Franconomics-2023 addressed the current "hot" topics in Vietnam and the world, namely, digital humanities and human security. Although these concepts have been around for almost a century, given the rapid development of the digital society today, they have undergone significant changes. Therefore, this year's Franconomics Forum aimed to update the latest information and knowledge about digital humanities and propose new cooperation initiatives among countries in the Francophone community to leverage opportunities and address challenges in this field. The Head of the French International Studies Department emphasized that Franconomics-2023 was part of a series of activities commemorating the 30th anniversary of IFI (1993-2023). Over the past three decades, IFI has become a pioneering institution in providing internationally standardized, high-quality training and research based on the interdisciplinary foundation of information technology and French. In the future, IFI aspired to become an attractive university center for the Francophone community in Asia-Pacific and the world.

After the welcoming speeches, the plenary session of the Forum commenced with contributions from various speakers. Mr. Laurent Sermet, Director of the Asia-Pacific Region at the Francophone University Association (AUF), delivered a presentation on UNESCO's recommendations regarding the ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Mr. Dang Thanh Tung, Head of the State Records and Archives Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Vietnam, discussed Vietnam's strategy in enhancing national awareness of digital humanities. Mr. Alexandre Zapolsky, Founder and CEO of Linagora, presented on the development of Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of humanity.

Following the plenary session, there were three parallel discussion spaces with the participation of scholars from various countries around the world, both in person and online:

Space 1: "Cultural Digital Transformation" chaired by Mr. Manuel Jobert, Deputy Director in charge of French and International Relations, Director of the International French Institute (2IF) at Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University, along with Mr. Đào Tùng, Head of Office of Academic & Student Affairs, IFI. The session included contributions from speakers representing the State Records and Archives Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Vietnam, Sorbonne Abu Dhabi (UAE), Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University (France), the International Cooperation Support Agency of the Paris Region in Vietnam (PRX-Vietnam), and the Interdisciplinary Sciences Department at VNU-SIS, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Space 2, "Digital Technology and Socio-Economic Affairs" was chaired by Mr. Lê Phước Minh, Director of the Institute for African and Middle-East Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, and saw the participation of various speakers and experts from institutions including the Institute for Digital Transformation Strategy, Galileo Global Education Group, the French Language Center in Senegal, Sciences Po University (France), Risk Management (ERM) Company, Vietnam DX Company, 1Office Joint Stock Company, LienVietPostBank, the Institute for Business Innovation Support, and Global Technology Solutions Vietnam Joint Stock Company.

Space 3, "Youth in the Digital Society" was organized in the form of a talk show and hosted by Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thuỳ Linh, an editor at the VOV5 Foreign Service - Voice of Vietnam, with the participation of speakers from the University of Education (UEd), Vietnam National University, Hanoi; the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF); Vitamin Network; and the University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS), Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Franconomics-2023 was a lively event that provided valuable information and experiences related to digital humanities. The event concluded successfully on the afternoon of October 17, 2023, at Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Information about the international Franconomics Forum:

Franconomics is an annual international forum initiated by IFI, sponsored and organized by Vietnam National University, Hanoi, with the participation of countries within the Francophone community (comprising 88 member countries and observers) and various other domestic and international partners. It serves as a multi-disciplinary international dialogue platform on current economic and social issues, fostering cultural exchanges and mutual understanding among domestic and international entities. Franconomics also offers an opportunity for connections between universities, businesses, local communities, scientists, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policy-makers within and beyond the Francophone community.

Other pictures of the forum: